Trevor Ombija Claims Gachagua Sought His Firing Following Heated Interview

Citizen TV prime-time news anchor Trevor Ombija has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua attempted to have him fired from Royal Media Services (RMS) following a fiery live television interview.

Speaking on Friday, September 18, 2026, while addressing residents during a political engagement in Nyakach Constituency—where he is seeking the parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election—the presenter revealed that Gachagua petitioned media management after a heated exchange between the two in March 2026. Ombija further alleged that his ethnic background was brought into the confrontation surrounding his job security.

“As I stand here to address you, the former Deputy President Gachagua once called for my dismissal from work because we confronted each other,” Ombija told the crowd.

RMS Leadership Denies Claim

However, Royal Media Services Editorial Director Linus Kaikai has refuted Ombija’s claims, clarifying that no such request was made by the former Deputy President. Kaikai emphasized that even if such a call had been placed, it would have had no impact on the newsroom’s editorial independence.

Kaikai stated that he addressed the matter directly with the news anchor, who admitted to making an error. “I have asked Trevor about the remarks, and he says it is ‘a mistake and I regret it’. Trevor has also told me he ‘didn’t think the remarks would be picked up,'” Kaikai revealed.

The controversy traces back to a tense March 2026 broadcast of Monday Report, during which Gachagua accused Ombija of bias and unprofessionalism. During the interview, Gachagua labeled the program a “tribal show,” prompting Ombija to clarify on air that the former Deputy President had specifically requested the interview session himself. Ombija, who joined RMS in 2018, continues to balance his media career alongside his political ambitions in Kisumu County ahead of the 2027 polls.